Materials & Care

Materials & care

Fine jewellery lasts when it’s treated with care. The basics are simple.

The metals we use

925 sterling silver

92.5% pure silver, alloyed with copper for strength. A clean, bright canvas for lab-grown diamonds. Sterling silver naturally tarnishes over time when exposed to air and moisture — this is normal and easily cleaned away with a silver polishing cloth. Silver pieces of 7.78g or more are hallmarked at a UK assay office.

Solid 14kt and 18kt gold

We work in two solid gold purities, each available in yellow, white and rose:

  • 14kt gold — 58.5% pure gold (hallmarked 585). The everyday sweet spot: more than half pure gold, with the durability for daily wear.
  • 18kt gold — 75% pure gold (hallmarked 750). Higher purity, richer colour, softer feel.

All gold is solid throughout, not plated. Gold pieces of 1g or more are hallmarked at a UK assay office. White gold pieces are finished with rhodium, which gives them their bright cool tone and may need periodic replating over time as part of normal care.

Sensitive skin and metal allergies

Your choice of metal matters separately from your choice of lab-grown diamond: the diamond does not determine the composition of the metal setting or how your skin may respond to it.

Our 925 sterling silver is 92.5% silver, alloyed with copper for strength. Our solid 14kt gold is 58.5% gold, with the remaining 41.5% made up of other alloying metals; our solid 18kt gold is 75% gold, with the remaining 25% made up of other alloying metals. Gold alloy compositions can vary by colour and piece. White gold also has a rhodium finish, which can wear over time. Gold purity, colour or a surface finish alone should not be taken as confirmation that a piece is suitable for a particular allergy.

We do not describe any of these alloys as hypoallergenic or safe for everyone. Individual sensitivities vary. If you have a known metal allergy, or concerns about sensitive skin, seek advice from a qualified medical professional or allergy specialist before ordering. Contact us before purchase to request the available composition details for the specific piece and metal you are considering; do not assume it is free from a particular metal unless this has been confirmed.

Why we start at 14kt, not 9ct

Most UK high-street jewellery is made in 9ct gold — the legal minimum that can be called "gold" in Britain. We start at 14kt instead. 9ct is 37.5% pure gold; 14kt is 58.5% — for a richer colour and better long-term value, and the hallmark proves it (585 vs 375). See our Hallmarking & Materials page for the full breakdown.

Lab-grown diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds, identical in hardness (Mohs 10), brilliance and structure to mined diamonds. They will not cloud, discolour or lose their fire with age. Every diamond we set is lab-grown, D–F colour and VS1 clarity or better. Round brilliant lab-grown diamonds can receive a formal cut grade; fancy shapes are assessed through their proportions, polish, symmetry and overall make. Every piece with a centre stone of 1.00ct or above — in silver or gold — comes with an individual IGI grading report as standard, at no extra cost, and it does not add to your lead time. Multi-stone designs such as tennis bracelets, where many smaller stones are matched, aren’t individually certified. See our Hallmarking & Materials page for more detail.

Day-to-day care

  • Put jewellery on last. After perfume, hairspray, moisturiser and makeup. Alcohol-based products dull metal and dirty stones over time.
  • Take jewellery off first. Before showering, swimming, exercising, gardening, sleeping or cleaning. Chlorine, sea water and household chemicals shorten the life of any piece.
  • Store pieces separately. Lab-grown diamonds will scratch other gemstones and softer metals. A soft pouch or lined box keeps pieces from rubbing against each other.
  • Avoid rough activity. Heavy gym work, contact sports and manual jobs put strain on settings and chains. If you wear a piece daily, give it a check-over every few months.

Cleaning at home

For most pieces, a few minutes is enough:

  1. Fill a small bowl with warm (not hot) water and a drop of mild washing-up liquid.
  2. Soak the piece for 5–10 minutes.
  3. Brush gently with a soft toothbrush, paying attention to the back of any lab-grown diamond settings where build-up sits.
  4. Rinse in clean warm water.
  5. Pat dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

For sterling silver that has tarnished, a dedicated silver polishing cloth will bring it back. Don’t use silver dip solutions on pieces with lab-grown diamonds set into them — the chemicals can damage settings.

Professional servicing

Every two to three years, have heavily-worn pieces (especially engagement rings, tennis bracelets and pavé pieces) checked by a jeweller. They’ll tighten any loose claws, refresh the rhodium plating on white gold if applicable, and deep-clean the piece. Pavé, claw and tennis settings should be professionally checked periodically. We can arrange this for you — get in touch with your order details.

If a stone comes loose

Stop wearing the piece immediately and contact us. Don’t try to push the stone back in or wear the piece until it’s repaired — you risk losing it. Most loose settings are a quick fix.

Questions about a specific piece? Get in touch.